A playlist of cool things for cool kids!

Kids rock! There's no question about it. They are simply much cooler than you and me. This playlist is for those of us just trying to keep up with these mod toddlers and hip preschoolers. It's about promoting children's books, music, and other media that rock just as much as our kids do. Check out something cool for your cool kid.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Andrew Bird performs a little music and magic with the puppets in this clip from Jack's Big Music Show.

Andrew has a great new record out. File this one under: "music for parents that kids will like too." Noble Beast has lots of whistling and looping violins. And it will do wonders for your child's vocabulary. Nomenclature! As a chorus!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

It should come as no surprise that I think librarians totally rock. I mean, did you see the FOOT show at the Windsor Terrace library? And I'm happy to see that folks like the New York Times are finally taking notice.

Anyway, this week's picture book suggestions come courtesy of the librarians. The ALA announced the 2009 Caldecott winners. You won't need any further recommendation from me. The House in the Dark, a beautiful book, took top honors, but congratulations to all! Shiny stickers all around.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

My good friends at Whole World of Widgets developed this really cool animated video of Robot Garden, one of the Posterband picture books.

Whole World of Widgets is doing some really creative educational kids programming and they have a very interesting blog that covers kids media issues. Check out their site at www.WWWandME.tv. And you should totally be their friend on Facebook.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Just in time for that post-holiday toy hangover, David Shannon returns with a fantastic new book. Perhaps only an artist of David Shannon's freakish talent is up to the challenge of cataloguing the dizzying abundance of a modern kid's toy box. To look into that roiling cauldron of consumerism and not despair utterly, takes a brave, brave heart and a sense of humor born of peerless compassion. Which is to say, I'm feeling a little guilty about all the toys under the tree this year. But this book was one of best gifts. And Mr. Shannon deserves a special thank you note.